Utensil Cover and Method

ABSTRACT

A utensil cover is provided and includes a cover body, wherein the cover body includes a cover top having a cover top width and a cover top length, a cover front having a cover front length and a cover front height, a cover rear having a cover rear length and a cover rear height, and a plurality of cover sides, each of the plurality of cover sides includes a cover side length and a cover side height, wherein the cover front, cover rear and plurality of cover sides extend downward from the cover top to form a cover cavity and wherein the cover front height is larger than the cover rear height such that the cover top slopes downward from the cover front to the cover rear

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/764,947 filed Feb. 14, 2013, the content of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to an article for protecting utensils and more particularly to an article for protecting utensils, where the article may be configured to encourage interaction between customers and targeted media.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In order to protect the public by keeping the hygiene of a public food service setting at a certain acceptable standard, commercial restaurants and taverns are required to satisfy local health department regulations. These regulations typically require the restaurant or tavern to protect or isolate eating utensils from the outside environment to help prevent germs and other dirt from landing and settling on the utensils. Although some restaurants choose to delay setting out silverware until a customer is seated, the majority of establishments choose to wrap or ‘roll’ the utensils in a cloth or paper napkin to cover and protect the utensils.

Unfortunately however, it typically takes the restaurant employees several hours of the day to ‘roll’ enough utensil sets to last through an entire day of business. This is undesirable because it prevents or delays the employees from performing other necessary tasks and because the employees are typically paid hourly, it increases the cost to the restaurant owner. Furthermore, if business volume is under estimated and additional utensil sets are needed, then the employees must either ‘roll’ additional utensil sets on the fly or they must delay other tasks to ‘roll’ additional utensil sets. Thus, ‘rolling’ the utensils amounts to thousands of dollars in wasted time and added business costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A utensil cover is provided and includes a cover body, wherein the cover body includes a cover top having a cover top width and a cover top length, a cover front having a cover front length and a cover front height, a cover rear having a cover rear length and a cover rear height, and a plurality of cover sides, each of the plurality of cover sides includes a cover side length and a cover side height, wherein the cover front, cover rear and plurality of cover sides extend downward from the cover top to form a cover cavity and wherein the cover front height is larger than the cover rear height such that the cover top slopes downward from the cover front to the cover rear.

A utensil cover is provided and includes a cover body, wherein the cover body includes a cover top, a cover front, a cover rear and a plurality of cover sides, wherein the cover front, cover rear and plurality of cover sides extend downward from the cover top to form a cover cavity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like elements are numbered alike:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a utensil cover, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top down view of the utensil cover of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the utensil cover of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a bottom up view of the utensil cover of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the utensil cover of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the utensil cover of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a top down view of a utensil cover associated with utensils (shown in phantom).

FIG. 8 is a sectional side view the utensil cover of FIG. 7 associated with utensils.

FIG. 9 is a top down view of the utensil cover of FIG. 1, illustrating placement of an advertisement image and an action code, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a bottom up view of the utensil cover of FIG. 1, illustrating placement of an advertisement image and an action code, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a top down view of a utensil cover, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a sectional front view of the utensil cover of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13A is a sectional front view of the utensil cover of FIG. 11, associated with a napkin and utensils.

FIG. 13B is a sectional front view of the utensil cover of FIG. 11, associated with a napkin and utensils.

FIG. 13C is a sectional front view of the utensil cover of FIG. 11, associated with a napkin and utensils.

FIG. 14 is an operational block diagram illustrating a method for implementing a utensil cover, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 15 is an operational block diagram illustrating a method for implementing a utensil cover, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 is an operational block diagram illustrating a method for promoting a service/product/brand using a utensil cover, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-8, a utensil cover 100 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is provided and shown, where the utensil cover 100 includes a cover top 102, a plurality of cover sides 104, a cover front 106 and a cover rear 108, where the cover top 102, cover sides 104, cover front 106 and cover rear 108 define a cover cavity 110. It should be appreciated that the cover cavity 110 includes a cavity width W, a cavity height H (which may be variable from side to side or front to back) and a cavity length L, where as shown, W, H and L are sized such that when the utensil cover 100 is placed over one or more eating utensils (i.e. such as a knife, a fork, a spoon, etc. . . . ) laid out on a surface, the eating utensils are contained within the cover cavity 110 to be covered by the utensil cover 100. It should be appreciated that the utensil cover 100 may be used to cover utensils and/or utensil/napkin combination (it is contemplated that the cover may be used with or without a napkin).

Additionally, the cover top 102 includes a cover top internal surface 112, the cover sides 104 include a cover side internal surface 114, the cover front 106 includes a cover front internal surface 116 and the cover rear 108 includes a cover rear internal surface 118 all of which are located within and define the cover cavity 110. It should be appreciated that the utensil cover 100 may also configured to include a pen holder, a credit card holder, a menu holder and/or a receipt holder. In one embodiment, the pen holder, a credit card holder, a menu holder and/or a receipt holder may be located proximate the outer surface of at least one of the cover top 102, cover sides 104, cover front 106 and/or the cover rear 108. In another embodiment, the pen holder, credit card holder, menu holder and/or receipt holder may be located proximate cover top internal surface 112, the cover side internal surface 114, the cover front internal surface 116 and/or the cover rear internal surface 118. It is also contemplated that the pen holder, credit card holder, menu holder and/or receipt holder may also be mixed between the internal surfaces and the external surfaces of the utensil cover 100.

Additionally, referring to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, it is contemplated that one or more surfaces of the utensil cover 100 (for example, the top surface and/or bottom surface of the cover top) may be used for advertising and may include an action code, such as a 2-Dimensional Bar code, a QR Code, an Augmented Reality (AR) code and/or any other type of code and/or hyperlink image which may direct a customer's Smart phone or other type of personal device to a website or which may cause the customer's Smart phone or other type of personal device to initiate interaction with an application located on the customer's Smart phone or other type of personal device or on a local or remote website. For example, in one embodiment of the invention the utensil cover 100 may include a link by which a customer can access the menu. This link would direct the customer to a website where they can review the menu at their leisure instead of having to wait for the server to bring the menu. In additional embodiments, the website may allow the customer to connect a credit card to their party (i.e. set up a tab) and/or place an order via their personal device.

Moreover, as one or more surfaces of the utensil cover 100 is capable of having images and text, it is contemplated that the utensil cover 100 may be used for advertising/promotional purposes. In one embodiment, the utensil cover 100 may include an advertisement and a scannable code/image (bar code, QR code, VSR, AR code) on the cover top 102. A consumer can view the advertisement and use their personal device to scan the scannable code/image which may bring up a display which can be used to entertain the consumer and/or promote the advertisers brand and the restaurant. For example, in one embodiment a consumer could scan the scannable code/image using their personal device. The device could then be directed to access a website that allows the consumer to do a number of things, such as watch a video about an advertiser, watch a video about local history, listen to music, play a game, shop online in the local store, etc. . . . .

Referring again to FIG. 4, it should be appreciated that utensil cover 100 also may include finger grips 200 to easily grip the utensil cover 100 to allow for easy pick up and removal. Moreover, although the utensil cover 100 is shown as being rectangular in shape, the utensil cover 100 may be any shape suitable to the desired end purpose, such as triangular, square, etc. It should be further appreciated that, if desired, the utensil cover 100 may include one or more weighted elements that help to anchor the utensil cover 100 when located in outdoor eating areas.

Referring to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, an additional embodiment of a utensil cover 300 is provided where the utensil cover 300 is configured to coveringly support the utensil set prior to use. As shown, the utensil cover 300 includes a cover top 302, a plurality of cover sides 304, a cover front 306 and a cover rear 308, where the cover top 302, cover sides 304, cover front 306 and cover rear 308 define a cover cavity 310. It should be appreciated that the cover cavity 310 includes a cavity width W, a cavity height H (which may be variable from side to side or front to back) and a cavity length L, where as shown, W, H and L are sized such that the eating utensils fit within the cover cavity 310. The utensil cover 300 may include finger grips 312, an actuator device 314 and a support apparatus 316, wherein the support apparatus 316 is configurable between an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration. It should be appreciated that the finger grips 312 are configured to allow a person to grip opposing sides of the utensil cover 300 to pick them up. The actuator device 314 is associated with the support apparatus 316 and is configured to cause the support apparatus 316 to be configurable between the engaged configuration and the disengaged configuration. In one embodiment, when in the engaged configuration a part of the support apparatus 316 extends into the cover cavity 310 such that when utensils and a napkin are located therein, the support apparatus 316 provides support and helps contain them within the cover cavity 310.

Referring to FIG. 13A, FIG. 13B and FIG. 13C, when a napkin 320 and utensils 322 are located within the cover cavity 310, the support apparatus 316 extends into the cover cavity 310 to support the napkin 320 and utensils 322 (See FIG. 13A). When the actuator devices 314 are compressed, the support articles 316 are caused to move away from the napkin 320 and utensil 322 combination such that the napkin 320 and utensil 322 combination are no longer supported (See FIG. 13B). The napkin 320 and utensil 322 combination can then be removed from the cover cavity 310.

It should be further appreciated that although the utensil cover 100, 300 is shown as having a utensil cover top 102, 302 that is sloped downward from cover front 106, 306 to cover rear 108, 308, it is contemplated that in other embodiments, the utensil cover top 102, 302 may be include various shapes/designs as desired and/or oriented in any fashion as desired, such as horizontal, sloped from one side to another, sloped downward from cover rear 108, 308 to cover front 106, 306.

Referring to FIG. 14, an operational block diagram illustrating a method 500 for implementing a utensil cover 100, 300, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is shown and includes obtaining utensils and/or a napkin for use by consumers, as shown in operational block 502. The utensils are located and arranged on a stable surface, such as a counter or table, as shown in operational block 504, and the utensil cover 100, 300 is placed over the utensils that are arranged stable surface to cover the utensils, as shown in operational block 506. It should be appreciated that if a napkin is used, the utensils/napkin combination may be arranged on the stable surface and the utensil cover 100, 300 may cover the utensil and/or utensil/napkin combination.

Referring to FIG. 15, an operational block diagram illustrating a method 600 for implementing a utensil cover 100, 300, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention is shown and includes obtaining utensils and a napkin for use by consumers, as shown in operational block 602. The utensils are arranged on the napkin, as shown in operational block 604, and the actuator device 314 is configured to be in the disengaged configuration, as shown in operational block 606. The utensil cover 100, 300 is placed over the utensils that are arranged on the napkin to cover the utensils and napkin, as shown in operational block 608. At this point the actuator device 314 is configured to be in the engaged configuration, as shown in operational block 610, such that a portion of the actuator device 314 is located under the napkin to support napkin/utensil combination. This advantageously allows the utensil cover 100, 300 to function as a utensil/napkin holder such that the utensil cover 100, 300 can be stored and/or moved easily.

Referring to FIG. 16, an operational block diagram illustrating a method 700 for promoting a service/product/brand using a utensil cover 100, 300 in accordance with still yet another embodiment of the invention is shown and includes associating utensils and a napkin for use by consumers with a utensil cover 100, 300 having an advertisement and/or scannable code, as shown in operational block 702, where the advertisement may promote a certain product/service or a brand of products/services. When a consumer scans the scannable code with their personal device, their personal device is configured to display an image (such as a movie, a game and/or a website), as shown in operational block 704. This may be accomplished by directing the personal device to a website and/or by initiating an application that is resident (at least in part) on (and/or causing an application to be installed onto) the personal device. As such, this image may be used to entertain the consumer, instruct the consumer on various facts, allow the consumer to order items/pay tab and other various actions.

Additionally, a host website may be created to allow the action codes to be custom programmed for each client, as desired. For example, the actions code can be programmed to display a restaurant's specials menu, a mini-game for a chance to win a random prize, local happenings, a client news letter, etc. Moreover, it is contemplated that in other embodiments, a restaurant customer may be able to place food and/or drink orders via their personal device when used with the utensil cover. In such a case, a customer may scan an action code with their personal device and that action code may direct the personal device to a website where the customer can enter in and/or confirm orders. This method may also be used to let a customer pay their bill via their personal device.

While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, omissions and/or additions may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, unless specifically stated any use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. 

I claim:
 1. A utensil cover, comprising: a cover body, wherein the cover body includes a cover top having a cover top width and a cover top length, a cover front having a cover front length and a cover front height, a cover rear having a cover rear length and a cover rear height, and a plurality of cover sides, each of the plurality of cover sides includes a cover side length and a cover side height, wherein the cover front, cover rear and plurality of cover sides extend downward from the cover top to form a cover cavity and wherein the cover front height is larger than the cover rear height such that the cover top slopes downward from the cover front to the cover rear.
 2. The utensil cover of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of gripping portions located on each side of the cover body.
 3. The utensil cover of claim 2, wherein the plurality of gripping portions are formed in at least a portion of the plurality of cover sides and include a gripping portion side wall.
 4. The utensil cover of claim 1, wherein the cover top includes an open area configured to contain at least one of an image, a word and an action code.
 5. The utensil cover of claim 4, wherein the action code includes at least one of a 1-D (linear) barcode, a 2-D (matrix) barcode, a Quick Response (QR) code, an Augmented Reality (AR) code and an image code.
 6. The utensil cover of claim 5, wherein the action code is configured to at least one of, cause a digital device to be directed to a website; and cause an application to be initiated on the digital device.
 7. The utensil cover of claim 1, wherein the utensil cover is constructed from at least one of a metal, plastic and composite material.
 8. The utensil cover of claim 1, further comprising an actuator and a support article, wherein the support article is configurable between an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration via the actuator.
 9. The utensil cover of claim 8, wherein when in the engaged configuration, the support article is configured to at least partially extends into the cover cavity to contain at least one of a napkin and a utensil.
 10. The utensil cover of claim 9, wherein when in the disengaged configuration, the support article is configured such that an object contained with the cover cavity is removable.
 11. A utensil cover, comprising: a cover body, wherein the cover body includes a cover top, a cover front, a cover rear and a plurality of cover sides, wherein the cover front, cover rear and plurality of cover sides extend downward from the cover top to form a cover cavity.
 12. The utensil cover of claim 11, wherein, the cover top includes a cover top width and a cover top length, the cover front includes a cover front length and a cover front height, the cover rear includes a cover rear length and a cover rear height, and the plurality of cover sides includes a cover side length and a cover side height, and wherein the cover front height is larger than the cover rear height such that the cover top slopes downward from the cover front to the cover rear.
 13. The utensil cover of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of gripping portions located on each side of the cover body.
 14. The utensil cover of claim 13, wherein the plurality of gripping portions are formed in at least a portion of the plurality of cover sides and include a gripping portion side wall.
 15. The utensil cover of claim 11, further comprising and actuator and a support article, wherein the support article is configurable between an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration via the actuator.
 16. The utensil cover of claim 15, wherein when in the engaged configuration, the support article is configured to at least partially extends into the cover cavity to contain at least one of a napkin and a utensil.
 17. The utensil cover of claim 16, wherein when in the disengaged configuration, the support article is configured such that an object contained with the cover cavity is removable.
 18. The utensil cover of claim 11, wherein the cover top includes an open area configured to contain at least one of an image, a word and an action code.
 19. The utensil cover of claim 18, wherein the action code includes at least one of a 1-D (linear) barcode, a 2-D (matrix) barcode, a Quick Response (QR) code, an Augmented Reality (AR) code and an image code.
 20. The utensil cover of claim 19, wherein the action code is configured to at least one of, cause a digital device to be directed to a website; and cause an application to be initiated on the digital device. 